Polytrichum ohioense

Polytrichum ohioense Renauld & Cardot

Polytrichum ohioense is not very common at Hoxie Gorge but can be found in the secondary forest. one of the smaller mosses in the genus Polytrichum. It can be found on both soil and rock. The leaves are stiff and when dry fold in, when wet they slightly spread away from the stem. The capsule is four sided and often covered with a calyptra.  When matured the calyptra falls off the conical lid is exposed.